Sister Wendy Beckett, Contemplative and Art Critic, died at 88
Sister Wendy Beckett lived her life as a contemplative and art expert. Her life of deep silence enabled her to comment on art from around the world with keen insight and faith. In the 1990’s she became a BBC star, inviting people from around the world to open their eyes to the profound nature of creativity, art and beauty. She changed the way many people view art and life, creativity and faith.
I am one of those people. I watched her shows over and over again, waiting for her response to some of the most beautiful and important art in the world. However, it was her book of prayer, “Sister Wendy on Prayer” that still captivates my attention. Her text on prayer is one of my favorite invitations to find God that I have ever read. This book was published in 2006. I always admired her fresh eyes and soulful understanding of the world, especially because she lived as a hermit.
She died this week at the age of 88. I pray with her life as a piece of God’s art, an invigorating journey toward the real life she desired, a life designed to rest in her Creator.
Broken But Not Divided 